FIBA AmeriCup 2017 Trophy unveiled in Montevideo and Bahia Blanca

The FIBA AmeriCup 2017 Trophy Tour tipped off last week with stops in Uruguay and Argentina, two of the host countries for the continental event. Montevideo and Bahia Blanca got the first glimpse of the new trophy that will be awarded to the champions of the FIBA AmeriCup 2017.

The first stop of the Trophy Tour was Montevideo, Uruguay, host of Group C during the continental event from August 28-30, that will feature the participation of the Dominican Republic, USA, Panama and host Uruguay. Uruguayan Basketball Federation President Ricardo Vairo, and the country's Ministry of Sports Director Fernando Caceres were on hand to reveal the trophy.

"We are delighted to once again take part in a historic day for basketball," said Vairo. "For our national federation to host the FIBA AmeriCup 2017 represents a declaration of intent to be a protagonist in our sport's continental landscape, with hope of more growth to come. It is an honor to be able to unveil here in Montevideo a FIBA AmeriCup Trophy that will now forever be the big prize in Americas basketball."

"The FIBA AmeriCup 2017 is the first big step in a new way of thinking about sports development in our country," said Caceres. "There are different philosophies on how sports should be treated by the governmental structures at the national level, but we have decided that our path is to work hand in hand with the Uruguayan Basketball Federation in their plan to become a big player in basketball landscape in the world. This is an important moment for Uruguayan sport and we hope the start of many more to come for basketball in the new and exciting era they will partake in the near future."

The next stop of the Trophy Tour was Bahia Blanca, Argentina host Group B of the FIBA AmeriCup 2017 from August 27-39, with the participation of national teams from the Virgin Islands, Venezuela, Canada and host Argentina. Argentinian Basketball Federation President Federico Susbielles, and Bahia Blanca’s Ministry of Sports Director Bernardo Stortoni were on hand during the ceremony.

“We are very happy to present the trophy in Bahía Blanca, a city that breathes basketball in every corner,” said Susbielles. “We believe that this tournament, along with the new Qualifiers to the FIBA Basketball World Cup will mark a before and after for our sport on the continent. We have the tools to generate more diffusion and development, now it is time to work to achieve it.”

“From the Municipality, we thank the Argentine Basketball Confederation for the confidence in Bahia Blanca,” said Stortoni. “Our message is of support and above all for the enjoyment of our youth, and for those who love the sport. It's a luxury for us, now we must work to have a good event."

The FIBA AmeriCup 2017 Trophy Tour will continue over the summer with further cities to be announced in the coming days.

"The FIBA AmeriCup Trophy Tour visited Montevideo and Bahia Blanca, two cities filled with basketball history and tradition. Our continental competition boasts having cities of such magnitude that breathe basketball passionately, and we are confident that they will live to the highest the FIBA AmeriCup 2017 and the best National Teams of the Americas,” said FIBA Americas President, Usie Richards.

The newly-minted FIBA AmeriCup 2017 Trophy is "founded on history", with a new shape and feel inspired by an evolution of previous trophies handed out throughout the history of the continental competition. It has an etched map of the Americas engraved in the inner and outer surface, as well as all the past continental champions from 1980-2015 editions.

The new AmeriCup Trophy will be handed out for the first time on September 3rd to the FIBA AmeriCup 2017 Champion in Cordoba, Argentina.

For more information and the most complete coverage of the FIBA AmeriCup 2017, visit fiba.com/AmeriCup and follow @FIBA on social media.